Written answers

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Department of An Taoiseach

Departmental Funding

8:00 pm

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Taoiseach his views on the successful Age Action Ireland Getting Started information technology training course for older people, which is currently running in libraries in the greater Dublin area; his further views on supporting the extension of this programme for the benefit and empowerment of older people nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2051/08]

Photo of Tom KittTom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Age Action Ireland "Getting Started" project was funded in 2006 and 2007 under the ASC (Access, Skills and Content) Initiative. The ASC Initiative, previously called the eInclusion Fund, provides funding to voluntary, not-for-profit organisations for projects to support the participation of late adopters of technology in an inclusive knowledge society.

The "Getting Started" programme is an ICT instructional programme for older people which involves a basic training module in using a computer, accessing the Internet and using applications (such as MS Word). Under the programme Circle of Friends support groups are established from the trainees to support other older people in ICT skills, facilitated by support teams from corporate partners, including Hibernian and IBM. Funding was provided to Age Action Ireland in 2006 to pilot the programme in Galway and Dublin, on the basis that additional funding would be sought from the corporate partners to sustain and develop the programme. In 2007 further funding was given to expand the programme in Dublin and Galway, and to introduce it in Donegal, Monaghan, Mayo, Kerry, Cork and Kildare.

Initial reports of the "Getting Started" programme are positive. Staff at the ISPU (Information Society Policy Unit) in my Department will be focusing on a number of the initiatives funded under the ASC Initiative, including "Getting Started", to assess the extent of the benefits being achieved for the target groups and to identify best practice. I would hope and expect that Age Action Ireland's "Getting Started" programme will emerge as an example of good practice. Funding support for further initiatives under ASC or its successor will have regard to the findings of the project assessments.

Up to €3m has been provided in the Department of the Taoiseach Vote this year for the funding of eInclusion initiatives, including the Seniors Outreach Programme which will show older people how computers, the internet and mobile phones can be relevant and useful to them.

I will be looking at a number of ways of assisting older people to embrace the knowledge society.

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